Bristow, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Butler County County

1.3 /5.0
F Poor
173 Population 184/sq mi density
$54,400 Home Value $123,043 Zillow
$375 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
F
Overall
1.3 / 5.0
Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Bristow experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.8 inches. The area receives 31.6 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,035 ft (315 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density184/sq mi
Coordinates42.7738°N, 92.9079°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyButler County County
Nearest AirportNortheast Iowa Regional (CCY)
26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.8"
6% below US avg
Snowfall 31.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.84"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.03"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score27.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience89.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

654 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,177 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 25 km 9
May 15, 1968 EF5 81 km 5
May 15, 1968 EF5 17 km 13
Oct 14, 1966 EF5 61 km 6
May 30, 1989 EF4 59 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 96 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF4 63 km 0
Apr 30, 1967 EF4 62 km 0
Apr 30, 1967 EF4 78 km 0
Apr 30, 1967 EF4 98 km 5
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 78 km 1
May 5, 1965 EF4 57 km 0
Sep 1, 1961 EF4 8 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 60 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 86 km 2
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 77 km 0
Jun 12, 2013 EF3 64 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 75 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 76 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 47 km 1
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 1.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 1.0 in
March 34°F (1°C) 1.8 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.6 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.9 in
June 70°F (21°C) 5.8 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 4.2 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.1 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.7 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.5 in
November 35°F (2°C) 1.8 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.3 in

Bristow has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.8") and January the driest (1.0").

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